Definition of Greek Alphabet

An alphabet or alphabet is a set of symbols that are used in a system of communication. Greek has a total of 24 signs or spellings and from a historical point of view it is considered as the first complete alphabet, since each vowel and each consonant corresponds to a symbol different.

It comes from the letters used by the Phoenicians, but with three more letters. The Etruscans adapted this alphabet to their language and, on the other hand, the Latins adapted the Etruscan system to their own language. For this reason there are so many coincidences between the Greek and Latin alphabet.

Α α, Β β, Γ γ, Δ δ, Ε ε, Ζ ζ ...

The first letter is alpha, which is equivalent to A. The second is the beta and corresponds to the Latin B. The third is gamma and corresponds to C. The fourth is the letter delta, that is, the letter D. Thus, up to a total of 24 letters. The Greek language in its modern version is the result of an evolutionary process from classical Greek.

From the lX century a. C the Greeks adapted and modified their

writing to the new alphabet originally created by the Phoenicians. This phenomenon should not be interpreted from an exclusively linguistic point of view, but a commercial one. Thus, the intense commercial activity of the Phoenicians forced the Greeks to know their communication system in order to intensify commercial relations in the Mediterranean.

Unlike the Semitic languages, Greek writing was written and read from left to right. Like the Romans, the Greeks produced texts without interruptions, that is, without space between words. This form of non-stop writing was difficult to read and for this reason the reading was done aloud, since in this way their understanding.

The first support where the letters were captured was ceramic. Later, papyrus began to be used, then parchment, and finally paper.

The Greek alphabet has been decisive for the history of mankind

The written word was an event cultural of the first order, because in this way it was already possible to develop an advanced communication system. With the first written texts, the writing of books was already possible. The earliest civilizations used books for three main purposes: to keep a record accounting of economic activities, develop a legal system and, logically, tell stories and stories.

Books have been and are the essential instrument for literacy. For centuries texts and documents were written by hand, but in the 15th century the printing press was introduced and from then on a new phase in the literacy process began.

Greek Alphabet Topics